[151 Pages Report] Automotive sideshafts play a vital role in the operation of any vehicle. It ensures optimum delivery of power to the wheels of the vehicle. Based on the application and position, the sideshaft serves the function of comfortable driving, and accommodating suspension vibrations and steering. Stringent fuel-efficiency demands from government regulations and end-users, following an increase in fuel prices have driven the need for lightweight automotive components. Sideshafts are designed to be as lightweight as possible, without compromising on its performance and NVH accommodation characteristics, as these components handle harsh working conditions such as mechanical wear and tear while optimizing fuel-efficiency.

Based on the available types in the market, this report covers qualitative and quantitative market sizing and forecasting till 2020 for hollow and rigid market for key countries in Europe, North America, Asia-Oceania, and the rest of the world. The report also covers market sizing and forecast based on the position (front, and rear), and vehicle type (passenger car, including hatchbacks, sedans, SUV/MUV/MPV, and others, and LCV).

Since the inception of automotive sideshafts, they have evolved based on performance requirements of vehicle applications. Hollow sideshafts are slowly gaining preference over rigid sideshafts, even in the light commercial vehicles segment. The major reasons for this shift in preference is fuel efficiency, increasing demand for vehicle performance, and increasing comfort levels offered by the hollow sideshafts. OEMs are also adopting efficient technologies to comply with various regional emission norms in the developed economies. The increasing vehicle production, stringent carbon emission regulations and norms, enhanced driving experience, and increase in fuel efficiency provided by these sideshafts has driven the growth of the global automotive sideshaft market. However, fluctuating prices of raw materials used to produce the automotive sideshafts in high-volume markets have restrained growth of the automotive sideshaft market.

Manufacturers of sideshafts are striving to offer cost-efficient solutions without compromising on the performance of the vehicle through their product offerings. Suppliers are concentrating on globalization and developing products to comply with the present and upcoming emission norms in the market. For this purpose, suppliers are closely working with local partners and OEMs to develop new technologies to save development costs and offer efficient technologies in the sideshaft market.

In terms of type, the market size for hollow sideshafts is estimated to be the largest, given its usage in almost all passenger cars across the world. Their lightweight further helps in improving fuel efficiency of vehicles. The rigid sideshafts are basically used in light commercial vehicles and have a major market in the North American region. The major players in the automotive sideshaft market have been identified as GKN Plc. (U.K.), Nexteer Automotive (U.S.), NTN Corporation (Japan), Hyundai WIA Corporation (South Korea), and Trelleborg AB (Sweden) among others.

This report aims to estimate the global automotive sideshaft market for 2015 and to project demand for the same by 2020 for the industry professionals into the automotive sideshaft market, suppliers of sideshafts, OEMs, and distributors of drivetrain components. The report also provides a comprehensive review of market drivers, restraints, opportunities, challenges, and key issues in the global automotive sideshaft market. Key players in the market for automotive sideshaft market have also been identified and profiled. Apart from a quantitative analysis, the report also covers qualitative aspects, such as value analysis, PEST analysis, and Porters Five Force Analysis for the global automotive sideshaft market.

The report will enable both, established firms as well as new entrants/smaller firms to gauge the pulse of the market, which in turn helps these firms to gain a larger market share. Firms purchasing this report could use any one or a combination of the below-mentioned five strategies (market penetration, product development/innovation, market development, market diversification, and competitive assessment) to strengthen their position in the market.

Scope of the ReportThe global automotive sideshaft market is analyzed in terms of volume (000 units) and value (USD million) for the mentioned segments.

By Region

Asia-Oceania

Europe

North America

RoW

By Type

Hollow

Rigid

By Vehicle Type

Passenger Cars

Hatchback

Sedan

SUV/MUV/MPV

Others* (includes sportscars, coupes, convertibles, among others)

Light Commercial Vehicles

By Position

Front

Rear

The global automotive drive shaft market has been broadly classified into hollow and rigid types. The hollow drive shaft market is estimated to account for the larger share of the global automotive sideshaft types market in 2015. A sideshaft transmits power from the engine through the differential or transfer case to the wheels of an automobile. The development of drive shaft is in tandem with the development of the automotive industry all across the globe. As the market of vehicles is growing all over the world, the global market for automotive drive shaft is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.79%. Key factors responsible for growth in the automotive drive shaft market include demand for low carbon footprint, enhanced driving experience, and fuel-efficient vehicles.

Automotive Drive shafts: The market size, in terms of value, is projected to grow at a promising CAGR of 6.37% to reach USD 7.2 Billion by 2020.

The favorable macro factors, such as economical labor, government support for the manufacturing industry, and a large local market have boosted the market for automotive drive shafts in this region. Asia-Oceania, the largest vehicle producer, is also estimated to be the largest sideshaft market in terms of market value. It comprises countries, such as China, India, Japan, and South Korea, where majority of the production is concentrated. OEMs have established their production bases in China, given the attractiveness of the domestic market and the low cost of production. Increasing demand for comfort and stringent fuel efficiency norms are also expected to drive the market for automotive drive shafts.

In context with vehicle type, the automotive drive shaft market in the passenger cars segment is accounted to hold the maximum share followed by light commercial vehicles. In the passenger car segment, the hollow sideshafts are used to offer comfort and fuel efficiency to the driver. As of 2015, global market for hollow drive shaft is estimated to be largest, with market share of 65% in terms of volume. In case of rigid drive shafts, the market for this segment is driven by the light commercial vehicles. OEMs are adopting light weight sideshafts that offer better fuel efficiency when compared with a rigid drive shaft.

The global drive shaft market is dominated by some international as well as local players, and some of them are GKN Plc. (U.K.), Nexteer Automotive (U.S.), NTN Corporation (Japan), Hyundai WIA Corporation (South Korea), and Trelleborg AB (Sweden) among others.